The Victim: Lifestyle Impact and Change

Abstract

This chapter reveals the shorter- and the longer-term impacts which befall the victims of disability hate crimes. In this chapter the immediate impact of being publicly abused is illustrated. The chapter then focuses on the longer-term impacts which, as with the author’s experience, can continue to pervade the lives of the victims for decades. This profound fear and psychological disturbance often results in limited social skills and lifestyle constraints. These restrictions include abandoning public transport to avoid future abuse. Such abandonment has led to social exclusion, loneliness and restricted medical and employment opportunities. The ramifications of this abuse then are much wider and more prolonged than the immediate impacts.